The American public must rethink its relationship with the military

Every year, on the last Monday in May, America celebrates Memorial Day to honor veterans who died in active service. Instead of treating this day with reverence, many people use it as a chance to spout nationalist talking points, indirectly supporting the mechanisms that are complicit in those deaths. 

America’s glorification of the military, combined with our unwillingness to view it like other public institutions, is unhealthy. We must look at the military as a current necessity that should be heavily scrutinized.

The military budget is one aspect that needs this closer look. The United States currently spends $916 billion dollars on their armed forces — more than twice the amount of any other country. Despite this, nearly a third of Americans think we spend too little on the military. Swaying the public to be more critical of the military budget can help free up more of the discretionary budget to other initiatives

Since the conclusion of World War II, the U.S. has mostly engaged in asymmetric warfare against insurgencies or less equipped enemies. Even if we have the best weaponry, we rarely see decisive results. Instead of spending money on expensive, sophisticated weapons while we engage in this type of battle, we could focus on diplomatic approaches as a smart way to reduce military spending.

Our defense budget is also bled dry by the price gouging of defense contractors. Because of extensive defense company lobbying, we overpay for our weapons. In 2021 the military budget took up almost half of all discretionary government spending. Negotiating more critically with these companies and rejecting corrupt lobbying could help reduce that figure to a more sensible amount. This would open up funding for other discretionary projects, such as education and transportation.

Furthermore, increased domestic criticism of the military could help save American lives. Engaging in warfare with non-established states, which has been the forefront of American warfare since the late 1940s, creates tough fighting environments that don’t usually produce winners. A strategy of “staying home” as opposed to sending troops to various locations will avoid conflicts that produce American deaths without American victories. 

A great example of this strategy was the removal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021. While President Biden’s approval ratings took a subsequent hit, this move removed the U.S. from a conflict it hadn’t managed to win in over 20 years and saved the lives of countless troops. A public that is more willing to look critically at our bloated military budget as a whole will create a political atmosphere that keeps the United States out of unwinnable wars, saving lives in the process — and not just American lives, but foreign lives as well. Regardless of who the American public feels may be the aggressor, prioritizing a diplomatic when possible approach avoids breeding contempt in foreign areas. 

Additionally, not engaging in warfare abroad could prevent future armed resistances from acquiring the arms they need to survive. For example, although the decision to leave Afghanistan saved many American and Afghan lives, the U.S. military had to leave behind massive amounts of weapons, some of which are now present in Kashmir. If we hadn’t gone into Afghanistan in the first place, such an issue would never have arisen.

Moreover, lowering our military budget doesn’t necessarily mean creating a power vacuum that a new country would fill. Reworking our relationship with military contractors will allow us to reduce our spending without affecting our military capabilities. And, in the event of a large-scale war, we can change our funding strategy accordingly.

A pursuit of lasting peace, and mitigating casualties, must replace the ingrained glorification of the military in American culture. Memorial Day is a lesson: We need to reassess our military priorities. Fostering true reverence for those who served means challenging excessive budgets and corruption by defense contractors.

Moreover, reducing our defense spending and avoiding unwinnable wars not only preserves American lives, but also spares countless lives abroad. It is crucial for us to recognize that a permanent military apparatus hinders progress toward global peace. Instead, it’s imperative society shifts toward diplomatic engagement and conflict prevention. This transition may face resistance, especially from those who benefit from the defense industry, but prioritizing peace over profit is essential for a more humane and sustainable future.

Gabe Efros is an Opinion Columnist who writes about the American political climate, on and off campus. He can be reached at gefros@umich.edu.

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